In 1964 Mayro Sol Astrachan proposed that the city of Kennett needed an organization to provide charitable work for the less fortunate families during the holidsay season. The Jaycees collaborated with the Mayor's much needed concept and set out to serve those less forunate in Kennett. This year marks the 53rd consecutive year the Jaycees have delivered food baskets in the area. The success of this project has been made possible by the ongoing generosity of local businesses and community members.

Every year for the past several years The Kennett Jaycees Good Neighbors Project assembles and delivers around 150 food baskets to local families in need. As the tradition continues this year, we are asking for support from community members and local businesses. The Jaycees are currently accepting donations for The Good Neighbors Project through December 31, 2017.

We are also accepting canned goods and other non-perishables that will be distributed in the food baskets. Any donation of canned goods or other non-perishable food items will be picked up in person by December 15th. Contact the number below please.

If you or someone you know would like to help, please send any donations to: Kennett Jaycees Good Neighbors Project, P.O. Box 165, Kennett, MO 63857. Any amount received would be greatly appreciated and it will help those in need this holiday season.

At this holiday time of year, we thing about giving and receiving gifts, and about helping those in need. Kennett's Humane Officers, Tena Petix ad Kayla Gozell, have been going the extra mile to help the animals in their care. Dr. Everett Mobley and the team at Kennett Veterinary Clinic are helping them help again this year with "The Pet Angel Tree."

During the month of December, you can bring donation for the shelter animals to Kennett Veterinary Clinic at 1704 Saint Francis Street on the west end of Kennett. Donations can be monetary, bedding (like towels or blankets), cleaning supplies, paper towels, food dishes, or dog collars and leashes. They are in particular need of leashes, collars, newspapers and blankets. When you bring in a donation, your name will go up on The Pet Angel Tree, and you will receive a $5.00 credit toward your own pet's next examination at Kennett Veterinary Clinic.

For the last seven Decembers, clients responded by donating generously. We'd love to see even more this year.

So help the animals (and help your own pet) by bringing a donation to The Pet Angel Tree at Kennett Veterinary Clinic, on Saint Francis St., on the west side of Kennett.

Poplar Bluff Parks Department is accepting registrations for youth 2nd and 3rd grade boys' and girls' basketball according to Rec Supervisor Greg Riggs. The registration deadline is Thursday, November 9, 2017. Registration is FREE. Registration forms are available at http://www.poplarbluff-mo.gov/179/Youth-Basketball.

Hard copies are available at the Parks and Recreation Department office located at 430 North Second Street. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For questions or more information contact the office at 686-8645 or email poplarbluffparks@pbcity.org.

Batting for Rosey baseball and co-ed softball tournament. Please go and visit the Jason Rose Baseball Benefit Page to see details. We have room for more teams and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email or messenger. marcus@clarkins.net

Please share this post and the Jason Rose Baseball Benefit Page. And please keep in mind this is a BENEFIT for a great man and a great cause.

Baseball....

Entry fee-$125 (all proceeds go to the Jason Rose shcolarship fund) 7 and 8 year old will play on pitching machine and 9-12 will be live arm. We will follow the rules of the Poplar Bluff league.

Softball....

Entry fee - $150 (all proceeds go to the Jason Rose scholarship fund)

*If we get enough teams there will be 3 divisions*

ALL DIVISIONS will have a 3 Game Guarantee Bracket.

T-Shirts will be given to the winning team in each division!

Competitive division – 3 HR’s per game then outs (Unlimited HR bracelets can purchased by anyone in the competitive division for $10 ea).

*taking the first 6 teams for the COMP division

REC division – 2 HR’s per game then outs (only ONE unlimited HR bracelet per team can be purchased for $10).

*taking the first 6 teams for the REC division

FUN DIVISION (SUPER-REC) – this division is for teams just wanting to come out & have fun! No competitive teams or rec level teams allowed please. ZERO HR’s allowed & metal bats ONLY in this division!

*taking the first 6 teams for the FUN division

RULES

We will be using a Mat in all divisions for Balls & Strikes (we would appreciate anyone that will volunteer to Umpire some games!) Approximately a 6’ to 10’ height limit on pitches (remember the umpires are VOLUNTEERS please don’t argue balls and strikes.

Softballs need to be an optic yellow .44/400 or lower compression ball. BALL MUST HAVE AN NSA, ASA OR USSSA STAMP. Guys can use a 12” ball & girls can use either a 12” or an 11” optic yellow ball.

Hitters will start with a 1/1 count with no courtesy foul.

There will be a 55 minute time limit for every game EXCEPT the championship games. No time limit in the Championship games!

Run rules are 20 after 3 innings, 15 after 4 innings, & 10 after 5 innings.

*We will also have awesome silent auction items along with a 50/50 raffle!

UCAN and The Bank of Missouri are joining up and becoming TEAL STRONG!

Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. A woman's risk of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime is about 1 in 75. Her lifetime chance of dying from ovarian cancer is about 1 in 100.

Please join us on September 15, 2017 at 9 a.m. in The Bank of Missouri parking lot to honor those that have lost their battle to Ovarian Cancer and to celebrate those that are still fighting the good fight. We will be saying a few words of inspiration during the opening ceremony and then we will be launching teal balloons to show our love and support.

While this event is free, we encourage a donation of what you are able to give to UCAN to help local patients with expenses.

Teal t-shirts will be available for purchase for $10 a each ($15 for XXL and up) beginning Monday, August 14, 2017 at The Bank of Missouri, Ketcherside Kountry or by contacting Megan Leist or Christy Frazier-Moore at 686-5558. Even if you are unable to attend the event, we appreciate you purchasing a TEAL shirt and being with us in spirit! We would love to see The Bank of Missouri’s parking lot covered in teal!

While there are many types of Cancer, Ovarian Cancer has personally affected event organizer Megan Leist. Over 8 years ago, Megan’s mother was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. While there have been trying times, her mother is a healthy, strong survivor that is full of life. Megan had two goals in mind with organizing this event: 1) to make her momma smile and 2) to raise awareness on this horrible disease.

For morning information on how to participate, please contact Megan at 686-5558.

Poplar Bluff, MO - The University of Missouri Extension in Butler County is offering a Boost Your Brain & Memory: Brain Fitness Class. Just as you can control and improve your general physical health with good habits, so too can you improve the health of your brain - boosting your memory and mental agility, as well as reducing your risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease or other dementias.

Although research is finding links between genes and one's risk of Alzheimer's disease, the exact cause is more likely a combination of genetics and other factors. Practicing good brain health at any age can help stave off the disease, as well as build up your cognitive reserve. Cognitive reserve is a term describing the brain's resilience toward damage.

The good news is that our brains are able to continue forming new neural connections throughout our life cycle. (This is called neuroplasticity.) In other words, no matter what your age, your brain health can improve as the internal structure of its neurons changes and as the number of synapses between neurons increases. Both of these phenomena can trigger change in our behavior, environment, and learning.

You can boost your brain health by focusing on healthy habits in six areas: heart health, nutrition, physical activity, social engagement, cognitive engagement, and stress management.

The class uses a whole-person approach that helps you for new habits to live a healthier lifestyle, remember things better, be more organized, pay closer attention and regulate your emotions. Each participant will receive a workbook including memory exercises, tips on nutrition and exercise, and summaries of evidence-based research on brain health. Our aim is to help participants implement new habits to maintain cognitive health while also practicing new skills for better memory.

The workshop will meet on eight consecutive Mondays, starting October 16 through December 4, in the Extension Center's conference room located at 614 Lindsay Ave. in Poplar Bluff, MO from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The workshop has a registration fee of $35 and is open to any and all participants. To register, call the University of Missouri Extension Office at (573) 686-8064

Taylor Swift is back with the new single "Look What You Made Me Do," and while most people agree that it is a jab at Kanye and Kim West, there may be something else brewing underneath. No, I'm not talking about the "I'm Too Sexy" interpolation. I also won't deny the drama that has surrounded Taylor and the West family, but I feel that "Look What You Made Me Do" proves to be almost coming from the perspective of the Stark sisters, Arya and Sansa.

BASIC GAME OF THRONES SPOILERS AHEAD

We're going to do this the only way I know how. That's right, I'm pulling out my sermon prep and Bible study techniques for this one. We're going verse-by-verse, addressing the lines that stand out, and unwrapping major themes.

Little Games

"I don't like your little games. Don't like your tilted stage. The role you made me play: Of the fool, no, I don't like you. I don't like your perfect crime. How you laugh when you lie. You said the gun was mine. Isn't cool, no, I don't like you (oh!)"

I'll be honest with you, it wasn't until after my fifth time listening to this song that the Stark connection clicked with me. It took actually looking at the lyrics and breaking them down to realize it wasn't just about Arya.

This first verse really screams "Sansa!" While Arya had her own "game" to play, Sansa was thrown into the actual "game of thrones." So who's "little games" would Taylor, or Sansa, be referring to here? Could it be Cersei and the rest of the Lannister family? Cersei said it herself, "When you play the game of thrones you win or you die." Of course she said that to Ned Stark, and not Sansa. Nevertheless, Sansa probably knows how Cersei "plays" better than anyone. We also have seen in season 7, that Cersei's manipulation is still having a major effect on what is happening in Winterfell.

Which brings us to who I really believe this first verse is referring to. It's almost spelled out for us in the first line, "I don't like your little games." Hmmm... Little games... Game of Thrones... LITTLE FINGER! No one person has played Sansa more for his own selfish purposes than Little Finger, Petyr Baelish. Lord Baelish's love for Sansa's mother, Catelyn Stark, as well as his love for the game, has turned Sansa into a pawn. To Little Finger, Sansa's chaos has become his primary ladder. He sees her as a surrogate for his infatuation with Catelyn, but how long does that last? His acquisition of The Vale of Arryn, while not as twisted and horrid as Ramsay Bolton's taking of Winterfell (and Sansa), is all part of Little Finger's "perfect crime."

Little Finger continues to "council" and "aid" Sansa, but any bit of power that he helps her gain power or influence, is simply him saying "the gun was [hers.]" It's only a matter of time until, Sansa (or Arya), thinks that this game that Little Finger is playing "Isn't cool."

List of Names

"But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time. Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time. I've got a list of names and yours is in red, underlined. I check it once, then I check it twice, oh!"

I MEAN COME ON!!! DO I HAVE TO SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU? NO? WELL, I'M GOING TO ANYWAY!

While the first verse heavily evoked Sansa, the quick biting pre-chorus is all Arya. This pre-chorus might as well be a line straight from the books or show. We have watched Arya grow from being a bit of a tomboy, the girl who wanted to be a knight, to one of the most deadly assassins in all of Westeros. Thanks to some interesting mentors, like Syrio Forel, The Hound, and Jaqen H'gar, she grew "smarter" and "harder." With the skills learned from training as a Faceless Man, "a girl has no name." She is not confined to her own history and past. Early in season 7, we saw that Walder Frey "rose up from the dead" in order to kill all those loyal to House Frey, and all those responsible for the Red Wedding. This isn't the first, and this isn' the last that Arya is going to use this skill. "[She does] it all the time."

Of course, we can't ignore "I've got a list of names..." line. Game of Thrones fans are all pretty familiar with Arya Stark's list of names. Especially with her repeating it every night before bed. " I check it once, then I check it twice." If one had to be "in red, underlined," it would have to be Cersei Lannister. Cersei and Joffrey Baratheon were the ones who set everything into motion. The ones who forced Arya, and the rest of the Westeros, to get smarter and harder.

Look What You Made Me Do

I won't dive too deep into the chorus. Lyrically there isn't a lot happening, but there is a sense of taking action. Action that probably isn't pretty, and unpleasant to whoever this track is directed towards. For the Stark girls, the best representation of these moments have to be their "cool guys don't look at explosions moments." What are those exactly? Arya walking calmly away from the mass murder that she committed at The Twins, and Sansa leaving Ramsay Bolton to be eaten by his own hounds. I'm telling you, pull those scenes up, and listen to this chorus at the same time, and it fits so well together.

THREW A FEAST

"I don't like your kingdom keys. They once belonged to me. You ask me for a place to sleep. Locked me out and threw a feast (what?). The world moves on, another day, another drama, drama, But not for me, not for me, all I think about is karma. And then the world moves on, but one thing's for sure. Maybe I got mine, but you'll all get yours."

Unfortunately, the second verse doesn't work as cleanly for the analogy. Yes, "locked me out and threw a feast," is definitely reminiscent of Arya being so close to being reunited with Rob and Catelyn Stark, only to have that ripped away from her. So what once seemed like the unification of houses that would help dethrone the Lannister family, turned out to be a slaughter that destroyed (almost) every ounce of hope for the Stark and the north.

The metaphor regarding the "...your kingdom keys. They once belonged to me..." definitely fits Sansa's relationship with Ramsay Bolton (and Little Finger) much better. Ramsay Bolton, formerly known as Ramsay Snow, became the Lord of Winterfell, the rightful home to the Stark house. I won't write more about that situation, because it's just too despicable for me to want to get into. Game of Thrones fans are obviously very familiar with what happened there, and we'll just leave it at that.

Both Arya and Sansa haven't "moved on" like the rest of the world, but rather continue to think about that "karma." There is undoubtably an overarching sense of vengeance for the Stark sisters. Let's just hope they don't take it out on each other.

She's Dead

"I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me. I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams. Look what you made me do. 'I'm sorry, the old Taylor can't come to the phone right now.' 'Why?' 'Oh, 'cause she's dead!'"

Once again, this could be a general statement of power and confidence, so it could apply to both Stark sisters. Though, there are a couple of interesting things that point to Arya specifically. Referring to herself as an "actress," or the statement of the old Taylor/Arya being dead, evokes the idea of the Faceless Men. We've already talked about that a bit earlier. While we won't dig into that connection further, it is very cool to see it driven home even more.

I know that we were talking about this being a song for the Stark sisters, but this bridge could also connect to that weirdo, Bran Stark. Who? The Three Eyed Raven. The sweet boy who loved to climb is no more. He's the Three Eyed Raven. He'll tell you that himself. Multiple times.

How is Bran an actress/actor? Well, we know that Bran is a warg. He is able to meld his mind with people and animals, and who knows what else. With his ability to do that throughout time and space, he fits really well into "starring in your bad dreams." Just ask Hodor. Oh wait, YOU CAN'T!

So, that's that. If you've managed to read this entire article, thank you so much for wasting your time with me. Let me know what you think in the comments! Am I crazy? Is this spot on? Both? Either way, thanks so much. Winter is here.

Friends of Music will conclude its 2016-2017 concert season with the annual performance in Kennett by The Southeast Missouri Regional Jazz Orchestra on Saturday, August 5, beginning at 5:00 p.m., in the Mayes Fellowship Hall of First Christian Church, 105 W. Washington St., Kennett. Please note the starting time.Admission to the concert is free, and the public is cordially invited.

The Southeast Missouri Regional Jazz Orchestra was founded in the year 2000, and has been performing summer concerts ever since. Based in Dexter, Missouri, the Orchestra draws its members from southeast Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Arkansas. According to the Orchestra’s director, Scott Rybolt, “This year is our 17th season, and we are thrilled to continue to make music for our audience. Jazz is America’s original art form. It is our honor to share it with you.”

The Orchestra will perform a variety of musical styles, including some traditional favorites like In the Mood, A Switch in Time, and Count Bubba; classics such as Let it Be and The Way I Feel About You; movie tunes, including Beauty and the Beast and The Rainbow Connection (originally performed by Kermit the Frog in The Muppet Movie); and patriotic songs, including The Star-Spangled Banner and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. “We’re also working on a number of other tunes, some new and some that we haven’t played in several years,” Rybolt said. “Of course, no performance of ours would be complete without our traditional closer, The Chicken.”

This year’s orchestra is comprised of nineteen musicians of diverse ages and from diverse occupations, including eight public school teachers, one public school superintendent, one university student counselor, two college students, four high school students, one middle school student, one stay-at-home mom, and one casino bank supervisor. The Orchestra welcomes five new members this year.

ST. LOUIS, Mo., June 19, 2017 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that 13 players from the 2017 First-Year Player draft have agreed to terms on minor league contracts and passed their physical. The newly signed players will join the Cardinals short-season clubs (State College and Johnson City) which begin play this week.

The highest pick to agree to terms is 9th round selection Evan Kruczynski, a left-handed pitcher out of East Carolina University. LHP Brett Seeburger (10th Round)and INF Evan Mendoza (11th Round) join Kruczynski as the highest picks from this year’s draft to sign to date.

A complete list of all 13 picks that have signed and passed their physical can be found below. The Cardinals have until July 7 at 4:00 p.m. CT, to sign players from the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

The 2017 Kennett Municipal Band will offer the Band’s annual concert-in-the-park, a contribution to Kennett's Independence Day celebrations, on Thursday, June 29, beginning at 7:30 p.m., at the Jones Park Bandstand in Kennett (the park is located on W. 9th Street, between Kennett and S. Jackson Streets, behind Kennett’s South Elementary School).

A wide variety of music for the program will include John Philip Sousa marches (“The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “The Liberty Bell”), a Beatles medley, Broadway show tunes (from Wicked, Hairspray, and Gypsy), a tribute to our Armed Forces, and enduring works from composers George Gershwin, David Holsinger & Justin Timberlake.

The Band is directed by Jerry Lintner, Director of Bands for the Caruthersville School District.

Band members range from students in high school to retired citizens, are from the Missouri Bootheel, Arkansas, and Tennessee, and represent a variety of occupations. The Band is proud of the diversity of the ages and experiences of its members.

Concert-goers are reminded to bring lawn chairs, ground coverings, and refreshments to enjoy the concert from the grass in front of the bandstand. The Kennett Park Department will provide a clean and nearly-bug-free Jones Park and assorted benches and tables.

However, if necessary due to the weather, an alternate concert site is the Kennett High School Auditorium, with the time and the day remaining the same.

The concert is free, and the public is cordially invited. For more information, contact Friends of Music at 573-717-6308 or at fom@brick.net.

Entry fee $120/team: includes cart, green fees, and dinner. Flights and prizes will be determined by number of entries and given ot during the dinner (doors open at 6:00 p.m.) following the tournament at American Legion, located off HWY PP. All players and guests are welcome to attend dinner.

For more information or to register please contact Wayne Summers or Bobby Godwin at Ozark Ridge Golf Course.

It's time once again to enjoy the best flavors that Poplar Bluff has to offer. Join us at the Poplar Bluff Taste of the Town on May 11, 2017!

"An evening of local fare and relaxation, Taste of the Town brings together the premier restaurants, caterers and beverage vendors in the Poplar Bluff area to benefit the Poplar Bluff Boys & Girls Club. 2016 Taste of the Town was the 10th event in BGC history, hosted at the Black River Coliseum. Taste of the Town was originally a Wine & Cheese Tasting Party held at the new 1st Community Bank, but the popularity of the event soon grew exponentially. Entertainment and fine dining is enjoyed throughout the night, and the People’s Choice Award goes to the vendor who has the most dollar votes at the end of the evening! This fundraiser has steadily increased in number of participants and the amount of money raised, resulting in $40,000 raised for the Club, and nearly 600 guests in attendance." -via Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff.

We get ahold of one of the hottest bowls of instant ramen for the Fire Noodle Challenge! Samyang's Spicy Chicken Noodle is the most popular noodle used for the Fire Noodle Challenge, but is it as hot as people say it is? Time to find out! Watch the video and comment below if you think we should try the bowl that claims to be twice as spicy!